Mutharika pleads for positive news about Malawi: ‘Journalists should not dwell on negative issues’

Malawian President Peter Mutharika has returned home from New York, United States of America where he fulfilled a number of engagements, including addressing the 72nd United Nations General Assembly (Unga) , told journalists on arrival to report positive stories about Malawi and not dwell on the negative issues.

Briefing members of the media at the Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), President Mutharika said Malawi has also benefited a lot from the UNGA trip saying he attended about 38 meetings with various influential people and investors.

For instance, Mutharika said Malawi scored the global star on ending early marriages and fighting HIV and Aids after a documentary featuring senior Chief Kachindamoto and others was shown to the world, saying he is excited about how popular Malawi has become globally.

“Out there people see and appreciate our efforts. But it is unfortunate that here at home, we don’t take pride in our achievements but instead dwell on negative publicity. I urge journalists in the country to report positive news and further the welfare of Malawi globally,” said Mutharika.

Mutharika highlighted that it is now up to Malawians to be positive and be able to appreciate what government is doing than just being bent at fault finding and instead of bringing to the limelight what the nation has achieved.

“We should get away of this negative attitude and embrace positive thinking. We need to change and boost our country. Let us speak positive about our nation and be in line with those that see good in our nation,” he said.

He said Malawi is leading on UN Aids and this will continue to project the country on the global scene and allow a lot of investments in the country.

Mutharika said  Malawi has also benefited a lot from the UNGA trip saying he attended about 38 meetings with various influential people and investors, saying the country should expect a lot in terms of investment opportunities.

He said all the meetings that were attended were educative and informative as it also created an opportunity for Malawi to showcase some of the projects the nation is investing on.

President Mutharika, a former lawyer elected in 2014 for a five-year term, left the country on September 15, with a 19 member delegation to the annual UN general assembly held from September 19 to 25.

Media and civil society organisations in Malawi have called the government  to disclose all expenses incurred on President Mutharika’s  tour, including those of his entourage.